Blue Velvet – Bobby Vinton

About the Song

In the tapestry of 1960s pop music, “Blue Velvet” by Bobby Vinton stands as a shimmering thread, a song that seamlessly blends romantic longing with a touch of mystery. Released in 1963, the song became Vinton’s signature tune, showcasing his smooth baritone vocals and his ability to weave a tale of lost love that resonates across generations.

“Blue Velvet” isn’t just a love song; it’s a melancholic journey back to a cherished memory. The opening line sets the stage: “She wore blue velvet / Bluer than velvet was the night.” The imagery is evocative, painting a picture of a woman adorned in a luxurious fabric against a backdrop of a dark and starlit sky. This creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, leaving the listener to wonder about the woman and the events that transpired.

Vinton’s vocals are the centerpiece of the song. He delivers the lyrics with a deep, smooth tone that perfectly captures the emotional weight of the words. Lines like, “Softer than satin was the light / From the stars” create a sense of intimacy and tenderness, while “Love was ours / Ours a love I held tightly” speak of a love that was once strong and passionate.

The melody is a beautiful counterpoint to the emotional depth of the lyrics. A gentle saxophone melody sets the mood, creating a sense of nostalgia and longing. The strings add a touch of elegance, while the occasional use of a harp injects a touch of sophistication. The overall effect is a soundscape that perfectly captures the wistful atmosphere of the song.

There’s a bittersweet undercurrent that runs throughout “Blue Velvet”. Lines like, “But when she left, gone was the glow of Blue velvet” remind the listener that the love is lost. The “Blue Velvet” of the title becomes a symbol of this lost love, a reminder of a time that can never be recaptured.

“Blue Velvet” resonates because it taps into a universal human experience. Everyone has experienced loss and longing, and the song offers a space to acknowledge those feelings. The blue velvet becomes a metaphor for a cherished memory, something beautiful and precious that has faded with time.

The song’s enduring appeal lies in its emotional honesty, its beautiful melody, and its ability to transport listeners to a world of nostalgia and longing. “Blue Velvet” remains a timeless classic, a testament to Bobby Vinton’s smooth vocals and his ability to deliver a song that continues to touch hearts for generations.

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Lyrics: “Blue Velvet”

She wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet was the night
Softer than satin was the light
From the starsShe wore blue velvet
Bluer than velvet were her eyes
Warmer than May, her tender sighs
Love was ours

Ours, a love I held tightly
Feeling the rapture grow
Like a flame burning brightly
But when she left gone was the glow of

Blue velvet
But in my heart there’ll always be
Precious and warm a memory through the years
And I still can see blue velvet through my tears

She wore blue velvet
But in my heart there’ll always be
Precious and warm a memory through the years
And I still can see blue velvet through my tears

(Blue velvet, ooh)